The electric SUVs with the longest range in Australia

If you had to name the hottest automotive trends going around right now, chances are SUVs and electric vehicles (EVs) would top the list.

Mash them together while keeping prices affordable, and you get a segment that’s growing by the day.

One of the most important considerations for electric SUV buyers is driving range – after all, the less time spent at charging stations, the better!

We’ve collated the electric SUVs under $70,000 in the VFACTS sales charts to see which can travel the furthest on a single charge. Premium options at a higher price point will be covered in a separate article.

For this list we’ve ranked cars by the range figure published on the Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide (GVG), which uses figures based on the European NEDC testing cycle.

We’ve also included figures from the more stringent WLTP test cycle used in Europe for context.

We’ve also only listed the sub-$70k variant of each model with the longest claimed range, though there is further information throughout the article and at the links below.

Click on the links below to jump to your chosen car, or scroll through the story.

Charging your electric car at home? Consider the impact on your home and contents insurance.

Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y Long Range comes in first with a NEDC tested range of 533km, and it brings some big advantages over the other two podium getters.

No car on this list has a better WLTP range than the Model Y (533km), and only the Hyundai Ioniq 5 can beat the Tesla’s claimed 27-minute charge time from 10 to 80 per cent.

While no official power figure is quoted by Tesla, the Model Y comfortably offers the most performance bang-for-buck based on its 100km/h sprint time.

Long Range models are priced at $69,900 before on-road costs, and Tesla quotes a wait period of one to three weeks from sale to delivery.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Tesla Model Y
MORE: Everything Tesla Model Y

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Hyundai Kona Electric

You can get behind the wheel a Hyundai Kona Electric Premium Extended Range for $68,000 before on-road costs, which has a NEDC claimed range of 557km, more than most rivals in this bracket.

However, the stricter WLTP standard quotes a significantly lower 444km range, shifting the Kona down to the middle of the pack.

Extended range examples of the Kona Electric have a 64.8kWh battery, with a single front-mounted motor producing 150kW of power.

The Hyundai Kona Electric is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, while its high-voltage battery pack is covered by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Hyundai Kona
MORE: Everything Hyundai Kona

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Toyota bZ4x

A budget of $70,000 will only get you a front-wheel drive single-motor version of the bZ4x, but from a range perspective that’s the best buy anyway.

NEDC testing quotes a range of 535km for the bZ4x FWD, which comes in at $66,000 plus on-road costs.

Like the Kona, the bZ4x fares better on NEDC testing than the stricter WLTP cycle, but the Toyota does boast a comparatively large 71.4kWh battery.

Another similarity shared by the two top ranked cars on this list is a power output of 150kW.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Toyota bZ4x
MORE: Everything Toyota bZ4x

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MG ZS EV

While many of the cars on this list stretch the $70k budget, the MG ZS EV comes in well below that even in top Long Range specification.

For $55,990 drive-away you get an electric SUV with 505km of range (NEDC), and a 72kWh battery.

The single electric motor sends 115kW and 280Nm to the front wheels, for a 0-100km/h sprint of 8.5 seconds.

The MG range is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which applies to the car and the battery.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a MG ZS EV
MORE: Everything MG ZS EV

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Subaru Solterra

Thanks to pre-launch price cuts, the Subaru Solterra AWD qualifies for this list with a price tag of $69,990 before on-road costs.

Based on the same platform as the Toyota bZ4X, NEDC testing quotes a range of 485km for the Solterra – 71km more than the WLTP claim.

Dual electric motors send 160kW and 337Nm to all four wheels, and the Solterra is equipped with a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery.

As this is the base variant in the range, you miss out on leatherette upholstery, a panoramic glass roof, larger alloy wheels, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and an upgraded sound system.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Subaru Solterra
MORE: Everything Subaru Solterra

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BYD Atto 3

A recent update has seen BYD Atto 3 prices slashed, making the cheapest electric SUV you can buy even cheaper.

A sum of $47,499 before on-road costs will get you into a top-spec Atto 3 Extended Range, sporting a range of 480km.

The single-motor, front-wheel drive Atto 3 produces 150kW and 310Nm, good for a 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds.

The 2024 BYD Atto 3 is covered by a six-year, 150,000km warranty, though coverage varies for certain parts.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a BYD Atto 3
MORE: Everything BYD Atto 3

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Ford Mustang Mach-E

Three Mustang Mach-E variants are available, but only the base Select model falls under the budget cap for this list.

Priced at $64,990 before on-road costs, the Mach-E Select has a 71kWh battery feeding a single rear-mounted electric motor, which produces 198kW.

Driving range is quoted at 470km, and a DC recharge from 10 to 80 percent takes 38 minutes.

If you want an electric pony car with more grunt than a petrol Mustang, the Mach-E GT comes with 358kW and a $100,000 price tag.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Ford Mustang Mach-E
MORE: Everything Ford Mustang Mach-E

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Volvo EX30

New on the electric SUV scene is the Volvo EX30, a pint-sized entry point into the Swedish brand’s electric range.

It’s already become a popular addition to the line-up – MY24 examples are sold out.

For $66,290 before on-road costs you can get a Single Motor Extended Ultra with 462km of NEDC claimed range.

However, the EX30 is one of the few cars here with a higher claimed WLTP range (480km), placing it second to the Model Y.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Volvo EX30
MORE: Everything Volvo EX30

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Kia Niro EV

The Kia Niro EV can travel 460km on a single charge, and the base model comes in at $66,590 before on-road costs.

Under the skin you’ll find a 64.8kWh lithium-ion battery and a single motor at the front, producing 150kW and 255Nm.

The Niro can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds, and takes 43 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent at a DC charging station.

It’s backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and a seven-year, 150,000km battery warranty.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Kia Niro
MORE: Everything Kia Niro

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Renault Megane E-Tech

The Renault Megane E-Tech comes in just one flavour – the Techno EV60 – and it’s priced at $64,990 with a claimed range of 454km.

All 160kW and 300Nm are sent to the front wheels, with energy sourced from a 60kWh lithium-ion battery.

DC charging time is a brisk 30 minutes, and the E-Tech has a maximum DC charge rate of 130kW.

The 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech is covered by a five-year, 100,000km warranty. The high-voltage battery is covered by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Renault Megane E-Tech
MORE: Everything Renault Megane E-Tech

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Mini Countryman E

A new generation of Mini Countryman is here and although six electric variants are available, only two meet our price criteria.

Both the Mini Countryman E Core and Classic fit the budget, each powered by a single electric motor, producing up to 150kW of power and 250Nm of torque, delivering drive to the front wheels.

Electric Mini Countryman models are powered by a 64kWh battery, delivering up to 422km of driving range, tested against NEDC protocols.

While a maximum charging rate isn’t quoted, Mini claims a DC fast charge can top up the Countryman’s battery from 0 to 80 percent in 29 minutes.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Mini Countryman
MORE: Everything Mini Countryman

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Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai sells six versions of the Ioniq 5 excluding the performance-focused Ioniq 5 N, but only the Standard Range carries a sub-$70k price tag.

With a single motor and rear-wheel drive, the Ioniq 5 Standard Range is capped to 305km of NEDC tested range between charges.

The 53kWh battery doesn’t take long to recharge though, just 18 minutes when plugged in at a DC station.

The base Ioniq 5 has 125kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Hyundai Ioniq 5
MORE: Everything Hyundai Ioniq 5

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